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Repsol updates commissioners on Rail Tie wind project as neighbors press for FAA lighting approvals and noise protections
Summary
Repsol updated Albany County commissioners on the Rail Tie 504 MW wind project’s construction progress and ADLS submissions to the FAA while neighbors and land‑use attorneys pressed the developer for turbine‑level FAA lighting approvals, final siting maps and fuller noise analysis.
Repsol representatives told Albany County commissioners they are advancing the Rail Tie wind project’s construction-phase work and have submitted updated aircraft-lighting detection system (ADLS) materials to the Federal Aviation Administration, while local landowners and attorneys urged the county to require firm FAA approvals and final turbine siting information before more construction occurs.
Henry Waltag, director of western development for Repsol, said the project is a 504-megawatt wind development sited on roughly 26,000 acres about 15 miles south of Laramie and that it interconnects to an existing Alta–Craig 345 kV transmission line. Waltag said permitting with the Industrial Siting Council and earlier FAA obstruction reviews were completed in 2021–22, that Repsol contracted local contractors and engineering firms for site work, and that final power-purchase agreements are in late-stage negotiation with regional buyers.
Waltag told the board the project previously received FAA approvals and that Repsol has submitted an updated ADLS package to the FAA; he said submitting revised turbine locations to the FAA as siting is refined is standard industry practice and that updated ADLS approvals are expected "in short order." He also outlined planned community contributions and mitigation payments the company says it intends to provide and gave construction‑period and operational tax estimates.
Several nearby landowners and attorneys told the commissioners they do not accept the developer’s timeline. Attorney Mitch Edwards, representing multiple eastern-Albany-County landowners, said dozens of turbine locations shown in earlier submissions lack the separate FAA ADLS approvals that were a condition for the county’s permit. Mark Stewart, representing Monahan Farms, and multiple property owners asked why excavation for turbine foundations began at several sites before turbine-level ADLS approval and before the developer presented final micro‑siting maps to the county.
Other public commenters described concerns about setbacks (a homeowner said a proposed turbine site would sit less than a mile from a residence), the scope of the noise study (commenters asked how the study treats wind speeds above the average used in the analysis), and the scope of decommissioning obligations for foundations. Several speakers noted they have not received direct mailed notice of updated plans and said they want turbine siting and FAA ADLS documentation shared before construction proceeds.
After extensive public comment and developer responses, the board moved into an executive session under the cited state statute to consult on legal issues and returned to open session about an hour later with no action reported on the record.
Planning staff and county counsel said they will review the materials and follow up with parties; commissioners indicated they would expect formal submittals and documentation from the project as construction progresses. No new board approvals or retractions were recorded at the meeting.
